Majaka is the world's largest steel and mineral company, with operations spanning the entire globe. They control not only 70 percent of the world's steel production but also dominate the market for machinery used worldwide. And then, there's Anaka.
Anaka works for this giant corporation. You'd think he'd be grateful for the opportunity, but…
"THAT'S NOT TRUE AT ALL!"
I don't hold any high-paying position here. I'm just a factory worker. I took this job four months ago after I ran out of money, even my piggy bank was empty.
"Sigh"
'Well, I suppose being a factory worker is better than begging on the streets… or worse, asking my big sister for help.'
"HEY, ANAKA, SLACKING OFF AGAIN?" Keiji shouted across the floor.
"You know I'm not slacking, I was just lost in thought."
"That's still slacking off, you idiot."
"And what profound thoughts do you have rattling around in that peanut brain of yours?" Keiji teased, wiping oil from his hands with a towel.
"I was just thinking about how lousy this job is and wondering how I ended up here."
"Hey, it pays your bills, doesn't it? Be grateful."
"Yeah, it barely covers my bills, I can't even afford anything else."
"Why don't you ask your sister for a raise, then?" Keiji smirked.
"You're really trying to get a rise out of me, aren't you?"
"Just saying, you could try."
"Never," Anaka replied, his expression turning serious.
Seeing his reaction, Keiji changed the subject.
"All right, let's get back to work. Drinks on me after the shift," he said, giving Anaka a thumbs-up before heading back to his post.
Anaka smirked, and after a moment, got up to return to work.
BOOM!!!
Suddenly, a massive explosion echoed through the facility. Panic spread as workers looked around, trying to locate the source. Realizing it came from below, Anaka bolted toward the exit alongside his coworkers as the building began to collapse. Once outside, he frantically searched for Keiji.
"KEIJI! KEIJI!" Anaka shouted, asking those nearby if they'd seen him.
"Have you seen Keiji?" he asked another worker.
"I last saw him heading toward the storage room."
Hearing this, Anaka dashed back toward the building to find his friend.
"HEY, THE BUILDING IS ABOUT TO COLLAPSE!" someone shouted after him, but Anaka ignored the warning, calling out for Keiji as he reentered the crumbling structure.
Anaka's heart pounded as he navigated the chaos, focused solely on reaching the storage room. Dust and debris filled the air, and the sounds of crashing metal and cracking walls amplified his urgency.
Finally, he reached the stairwell that led to the storage room. Just as he started down, the stairs collapsed beneath him, sending him crashing to the floor below and injuring his leg. But despite the pain, Anaka pushed himself up, determined to find Keiji. With sheer will, he pushed through the rubble, finally reaching the storage room.
"KEIJI! KEIJI?" he called out, scanning the room.
"HELP!" came Keiji's weak reply.
Following the sound, Anaka rushed to where Keiji lay, half-buried in debris. With all the strength he could muster, Anaka cleared the rubble from Keiji's body, freeing him. Keiji's leg was broken, but he was alive.
"Keiji, stay with me. I'm getting us out of here," Anaka said, helping him up.
"Anaka… the building's about to go. Get out while you can. You can't carry me out of here."
Anaka lifted Keiji onto his back. "No, we're both getting out. Just trust me."
With the stairs destroyed and the power out, the only escape was the emergency exit at the end of the hallway. Anaka, pushing through exhaustion and pain, carried Keiji as fast as he could. But as they neared the exit, the building began to collapse further. The walls cracked, pillars buckled, and pieces of the ceiling began to fall.
"Anaka, leave me," Keiji pleaded. "You won't make it with me on your back."
Ignoring him, Anaka kept going. But just as they reached the exit, a massive section of the ceiling broke loose, crashing down above them. In an instant, Anaka managed to push Keiji out of harm's way, but he himself was buried under the debris.
Keiji, landing a few feet away, looked back in horror. Despite his own injuries, he scrambled over to the pile, desperately trying to dig Anaka out.
"Keiji… run to the exit…" Anaka's voice was faint. "Don't try to save me… it's too late. Just… go."
"No! We'll both get out of here!" Keiji panted, still frantically digging. "Just hold on… please…"
"Go, Keiji… live. Please."
"I'm sorry, Anaka… Please, live. I'll come back with help." With a final, agonized glance, Keiji turned and ran toward the exit, managing to escape the collapsing building.
As Anaka's breath began to fade, memories of his past flashed before him. Regret filled his heart as he thought of what he could have done differently in this life if his. With one last breath, Anaka closed his eyes and slipped away.